Justin Tucker’s addition raises questions about Kansas City Chiefs’ obsession with signing controversial players – why not Tyreek Hill then

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Justin Tucker to the practice squad after Harrison Butker struggled against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7 of the 2026 NFL season.This midseason signing reignites debate over the team’s steadfast and age-old willingness to sign controversial players. Justin Tucker served a 10-game suspension in 2025 following sexual misconduct allegations, which he has denied thoroughly.However, the recent move raises questions about Kansas City’s roster decisions and Andy Reid’s concerns over Harrison Butker’s performance.It also pushes a bigger question: why haven’t the Chiefs considered reuniting with another controversial former player, Tyreek Hill? Hill could strengthen Patrick Mahomes’ offense. But his legal proceedings with estranged wife Keeta Vaccaro continue to make headlines.Chiefs’ Justin Tucker signing raises Tyreek Hill questionsThe Kansas City Chiefs had their first 2026 NFL season loss in Week 7 vs. the Seattle Seahawks. The team scored 20-3. Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker scored those 3 points.However, Butker couldn’t score two more field goals. How does the team address their collective loss? By adding Justin Tucker! As if that’s going to make it easy for Patrick Mahomes to move freely on the field. The Seahawks’ lethal defense completely limited the three-time Super Bowl champion.Anyhow, the recent signing of the former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker has refocused attention on Kansas City’s apparent obsession with signing controversial players.Justin Tucker missed time in 2025 because of sexual misconduct allegations. Much like Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s alleged charges. The misconduct allegedly happened during multiple massage sessions.Anyhow, Tucker served the 10-game suspension. And the Chiefs signed him to fill in for Harrison Butker. Butker didn’t just miss two of three field goals; he’s also a bit off his game. “He’s been one of the most consistent kickers in football,” Kansas City head coach Andy Reid said. “He’s off a bit. So gotta fix it.”Butker hasn’t appeared on the injury report, but the team probably wonders about his notable performance decline. Whatever the reason, this surely raises uncomfortable questions about the franchise’s approach to players facing serious off-gridiron allegations.And this surely takes us to the pressing 2026 offseason and even midseason question: why has Tyreek Hill not been signed by the Chiefs? Even when he’s one of the recent most controversial players.A Miami jury recently found Hill liable for two of 10 counts related to domestic violence and awarded his estranged wife Keeta Vaccaro $500,000 in compensatory damages in a highly charged civil trial.The Chiefs have shown an inclination to sign controversial players like Hill and many others in the past, as CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora rightly pointed out in 2019.Clark Hunt’s past decisions invite scrutinyCBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora examined Clark Hunt-led Kansas City Chiefs’ past controversial player signings. Players like Kareem Hunt, Frank Clark, Jovan Belcher, and Tyreek Hill.Kareem Hunt assaulted a female in the 2018 NFL offseason, but he was allowed to practice and play. Frank Clark was arrested in 2014 for allegedly assaulting his then-girlfriend in an Ohio hotel.Jovan Belcher allegedly murdered his 22-year-old girlfriend Kasandra Perkins in the team’s parking lot in 2012. After allegedly murdering her, he shot himself in the head.Tyreek Hill’s 2019 leaked video showed his then-fiancee accusing him of abusing their three-year-old son. Hill was also sentenced for allegedly assaulting his pregnant girlfriend in college.These cases raise questions about how Kansas City’s leadership balances accountability, player conduct, and competitive ambitions. To top it off, another controversial player recently joined this list: Justin Tucker.Justin Tucker denies sexual misconduct allegationsJustin Tucker was allegedly accused by 16 massage therapists of exposing himself and other inappropriate behavior at Baltimore-area luxury spas. The incidents allegedly took place from 2012 to 2016. Two spas banned him from returning. However, he denied all allegations by posting a statement on social media, saying,“Throughout my career as a professional athlete, I’ve always sought to conduct myself with the utmost professionalism.I have never before been accused of misconduct of any kind, and I have never been accused of acting inappropriately in front of a massage therapist or during a massage therapy or during other bodywork.”Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.